| Nutrient deficiencies appear to increase with age. | | | | MEMORIES" is the story of how one family coped |
| Some colleagues at the University of Iowa looked at | | | | with its devastating effects, and how others can |
| over 400 Iowans 79 and older living independently in | | | | learn from that experience. |
| rural areas and found that 80 percent reported | | | | Because of this, they are not getting as much of |
| consuming inadequate amounts of four or more | | | | some nutrients as they need. In our newly designed |
| nutrients. When declining energy requirements are not | | | | pyramid, we made the base somewhat narrower to |
| matched by decreased caloric intake then total body | | | | reflect the fact that less food is being taken in but |
| fat increases. The Atkins diet leaves your body shy | | | | chose foods that are nutrient-dense, that is, contain |
| on some important nutrients, such as vitamin B, and | | | | many more nutrients per gram of food eaten. Add |
| also is negative for vitamins A, C and D, anti-oxidants | | | | foods from the tip of the Pyramid, that contain |
| that slow the effects of aging and calcium. Once | | | | many calories and few nutrients (like candy, soda pop |
| again the lack of exercise has to enter into the | | | | and potato chips), only in moderation. Individuals with |
| equation also. | | | | difficulty chewing or swallowing or with decreased |
| Nutritional status may be further compromised by | | | | ability to taste or smell are in need of soft,moist |
| other problems in conjunction with the illness, such as | | | | easy to chew foods for many reasons. Topics include |
| trauma, surgery, infection drug therapy which alter | | | | the geriatric perspective on: vitamin B12 in the elderly, |
| nutrient requirements. This makes recovery even | | | | the role of micronutrients (including thiamin, carotene |
| more difficult. Each one of the above nutrients is | | | | and vitamin C), nutrition and cognitive function and |
| needed to keep an aged body in good health. Elderly | | | | cardiovascular nutrition. |
| individuals should try to strive for a well balanced diet | | | | Unintentional weight loss and malnutrition are common |
| and stay active. Adequate dietary fiber, as opposed | | | | problems in the elderly. Taste and smell changes, as |
| to increased use of laxatives, will maintain regular | | | | well as feelings of loneliness and depression, |
| bowel function and not interfere with the digestion | | | | contribute to decreased appetite, while many elderly |
| and absorption of nutrients, as occurs with laxative | | | | people may eat less because of chewing difficulties, |
| use or abuse. | | | | fatigue, and social reasons. If bones decrease in |
| Some of the factors described above, like changes in | | | | density, then osteoporosis (bone loss) develops over |
| the digestive system, as well as health concerns like | | | | time. Bone degeneration is due not only to calcium |
| the increased risk of fragile bones, means that | | | | deficiency but also partly to genetics. These changes |
| nutritional needs change as you age. Periodic review | | | | can contribute to decreased food intake, unintentional |
| of your diet is always helpful, particularly if you have | | | | weight loss and malnutrition. Not everyone |
| specific medical conditions. Taste and smell changes, | | | | experiences all these changes. |
| as well as feelings of loneliness and depression, | | | | Some medications will cause a loss of appetite. |
| contribute to decreased appetite, while many elderly | | | | Consider nutrition supplements, but use them only |
| people may eat less because of chewing difficulties, | | | | with a doctor's approval. She has found that |
| fatigue, and social reasons. Another statistic for the | | | | enhancing food flavors will increase the consumption |
| elderly being the need for more nutrition because of | | | | of the foods to which flavors have been added -- |
| disease or injury. | | | | and the increase in intake is greater for the people |
| Some people who've been dieting all their lives find it | | | | who have a greater loss of smell. The loss of calcium |
| difficult to change from a low fat diet to richer fare. | | | | through urine could potentially be harmful for bone |
| Sudden weight gain from fat is definitely not | | | | turnover, with the added risk of osteoporosis. Finally, |
| recommended. After studying 300 older adults from | | | | protein requires vitamin B6 in order to be metabolized |
| the ages of 65 to 93, Garry has concluded that even | | | | and ultimately utilized in the body. |
| the process of aging itself may be retarded through | | | | Changes to our bodies require a need for some high |
| behavioral changes. That may precipitate a change in | | | | quality liquid vitamin nutrition. Liquid vitamins can |
| the dietary lifestyle," he says. It makes strangers of | | | | energize and help balance your body's system with |
| those we knew best, changes relationships with | | | | daily nutritional supplements! |
| loved ones in ways that resonates forever. "STOLEN | | | | |